[Nurhachi]

What does this symbol (and its variants) stand for?



I see it a lot these day, restaurants, cheongsams, art designs, etc. Does it have any religious aspect to it? Plz help! It's been wracking my head my a while now

[General_Zhaoyun]

Nurhachi, on Jul 13 2006, 12:04 AM, said:

What does this symbol (and its variants) stand for?



I see it a lot these day, restaurants, cheongsams, art designs, etc. Does it have any religious aspect to it? Plz help! It's been wracking my head my a while now

That is symbol for the character "Lu 禄" which means "wealth/good salary". The word "Lu 禄" in ancient times refer to the salary of the officials and it was used to represent good promotion or salary or simply "wealth" (since good pay relates to wealth)

Usually, in chinese restaurants, you should also see it along with two other symbols that represent the character "Fu 福" (luck), "Shou 壽" (longetivity). The "Fu 福" (luck), "Lu 禄" (wealth) and "Shou 壽" (longetivity) are the legendary 3 celestial stars in the heaven. The chinese loves to use these 3 symbols as daily rites and life representing the wish for luck, auspiciousness and longetivity.

The 3 symbols are represented below in this order: "Fu 福" (luck), "Lu 禄" (wealth) and "Shou 壽" (longetivity)

[Nurhachi]

Great. thanks for sorting it out for me

[General_Zhaoyun]

Nurhachi, on Jul 13 2006, 05:29 AM, said:

Great. thanks for sorting it out for me

No problem.. if you have other symbols you're not sure, you can post them here..

[michael1234]

hey i kno this post may be abit old but i was curious about the circle designs that are above each fu lu shou figure. i was curious if anyone knew the history in that particular design that represents each fu lu and shou. I would like more information of the origins of there design and any further clarification if those circles designs really do mean and represent fu lu and shou. i cant seem to find any information based on the circles designs them self and there seems to be insufficient pictures of them as well on net. Any information would be greatly appreciated =)

thanks.
Michael

[changsham]

The symbols are stylised archaic characters set within a circle. Most likely representing a coin which is a symbol of prosperity. A circle represents the cycles of life, the universe and harmony in many facets of Chinese beliefs. Circles/wheels have been used in many auspicious ways such as in the ancient Bi disks, and in symbols such as Yin/Yan, the wheel of life, the cycle of law, the points of the compass, etc.

This post has been edited by changsham: 02 July 2009 - 09:09 PM

[michael1234]

changsham, on Jul 2 2009, 09:43 PM, said:

The symbols are stylised archaic characters set within a circle. Most likely representing a coin which is a symbol of prosperity. A circle represents the cycles of life, the universe and harmony in many facets of Chinese beliefs. Circles/wheels have been used in many auspicious ways such as in the ancient Bi disks, and in symbols such as Yin/Yan, the wheel of life, the cycle of law, the points of the compass, etc.

Interesting. I wanted to know if there was a certain history behind those circular designs on top of fu lu and shou. If there was a story or way they came about useing those specific lines to define what each fu lu and shou means. There might not be information based on those circles but was curious to know more about them. I understand that it represents life etc as cirlces do but the specific details as how and where did they first saw those symbolic circles of the fu lu and shou and if there was a reason for the lines used within the cirlces.

Thanks any information is useful
Michael

[Shaolin]

michael1234, on Jul 3 2009, 11:04 AM, said:

Interesting. I wanted to know if there was a certain history behind those circular designs on top of fu lu and shou. If there was a story or way they came about useing those specific lines to define what each fu lu and shou means. There might not be information based on those circles but was curious to know more about them. I understand that it represents life etc as cirlces do but the specific details as how and where did they first saw those symbolic circles of the fu lu and shou and if there was a reason for the lines used within the cirlces.

Thanks any information is useful
Michael

"Round sky and square earth" (天圆地方) is a basic concept in the tradition of ancient Chinese geography. It is a thought which has embedded in ancient chinese culture.

You can read up more on this thread.
http://chinahistoryf...showtopic=28401

Good day.

[michael1234]

Shaolin, on Jul 4 2009, 10:14 AM, said:

"Round sky and square earth" (天圆地方) is a basic concept in the tradition of ancient Chinese geography. It is a thought which has embedded in ancient chinese culture.

You can read up more on this thread.
http://chinahistoryf...showtopic=28401

Good day.

thank you very much, that concept helped me understand alot more and im reading lots about it.

Michael